The NHL community is rallying around Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson and his wife, Melinda.

The Swedish ice hockey player and his wife were expecting their first child together, but lost the unborn baby boy just one month ahead of his due date.

"At this extremely difficult time it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we know one day we'll get there," Karlsson shared via Instagram on Wednesday. "We would like to thank everyone for the love and support we have received and also for respecting our privacy and the process we need to go through now."

"We feel very lucky to be Axels parents," he continued. "Even though he was stillborn, we know we will hold him again one day under different circumstances and the joy he gave us will be with us forever."

In light of the tragic news, the team issued its support for the star player and his wife in a statement posted to its website on Tuesday.

"The collective thoughts and prayers of the Ottawa Senators organization, the city of Ottawa and entire hockey community rest with Erik and Melinda Karlsson following the loss of their son," the statement read. "We ask that you respect the family's wishes for privacy during the grieving process."

The couple announced last November that they were expecting, after tying the knot in Ottawa three months earlier.